Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 12, 2008 for the award of service connection for hepatitis C status post liver transplant was denied.,Prior to January 22, 2013, the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for hepatitis C was also denied. After January 22, 2013, his claim for an increased rating was granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the knees and hepatitis C are pending.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been rated as noncompensable since June 19, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a grant of an initial 20 percent rating for daily fatigue, malaise, and intermittent dietary restrictions.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed conditions and determined that service connection cannot be established for any of the issues raised.

The Veteran's appeals were withdrawn by the appellant. The RO granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint arthritis, and thus the issue of entitlement to a right knee disability is no longer in appellate status.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss, hepatitis B, hyperaldosteronism, hypertension, and hypokalemia are all found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current service-connected disabilities for bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, or hepatitis C. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the current record is incomplete and requires additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's hepatitis C. The secondary service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type 2; hypertension; and stroke are inextricably intertwined with the issue of severance of service connection for hepatitis C.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the result of VA medical treatment is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for additional examination.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's hepatitis C, as the October 2012 VA opinion did not address his in-service risk factor of receiving a tattoo. The case is therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's death was caused by end stage renal disease and liver failure, but there is no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and his active service. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's hepatitis C was initially evaluated as noncompensable prior to March 21, 2012. On and after that date, the evidence shows cirrhosis of the liver resulting in abdominal pain but no other symptoms. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for his hepatitis C with cirrhosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his military service and therefore denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hepatitis claims are granted. The PTSD claim is dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for alcoholic liver cirrhosis secondary to PTSD was dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a blood disorder (thrombocytopenia with pancytopenia and chronic cholelithiasis) was denied.

The Veteran's current hepatitis C is found to be related to his in-service sexual activity, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection were denied. The Board found that the March 2009 denial of PTSD was not final, but his claim to reopen this denial is considered a downstream issue which does not require VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to tuberculosis, hepatitis C, or hepatitis A and B. The positive PPD test is considered a laboratory finding rather than a compensable disability.